Roland CMU 810 & Arturia MiniBrute

Published on May 30, 2013 Oliver G

"Roland CMU-810 & Arturia MiniBrute

Roland CMU-810 (voice equal to Roland SH-101) controlled via CV Gate & Pitch by MiniBrute

Created, played and recorded live
by Oliver Gruensteidl a.k.a. FunKeyLicious
(c) 2013

Instruments used:
- Roland CMU-810 (lead 1)
- Arturia MiniBrute (lead 2 & arpeggio)
- Nord Drum (drums 1)
- Korg Electribe EMX1-SD (drums 2 & drum sequence)

Effects:
- Strymon TimeLine (delay on CMU-810)
- Way Huge Swollen Pickle (fuzz on MiniBrute)
- EHX Nano Small Stone (phaser on Nord Drum)"

Roland CMU-810

Click here for shots via this auction. Details: "This is the Roland CMU-810 Compusynth, one of the rarest synths ever made by Roland DG Group, an obscure offshoot of the Roland Corporation that remains to this day. In the old dealer price sheets from the 80's it was listed as an expander for the CMU-800 Compu Music, a small mixer/synth/drum machine in a similar housing that you hooked up to a computer. If you look online or read Peter Forrest's A-Z book, a false rumor has perpetuated that this is simply an SH-101 or an MC-202 in a metal box without a sequencer. They reference the schematics but the schematics are nowhere to be found. I've been looking for years for them without any luck. I've compared all three synths side by side, and have triggered the CMU from both an SH-101 and MC-202 sequencer as well as the Roland MC-4. The sound out of this box is entirely different than it's younger cousins, more aggressive, with a faster attack, and much nicer filter. The SH-101 and MC-202 sound very plasticky and thin compared to the CMU. The CMU-810 sounds more like the SH series of synths and soundwise it's probably closer to the SH-09. It excels at bass sounds and percussive effects. It also differs from the MC-202 and SH-101 in that it has a delay slider on the LFO, an input to control the VCA for tremolo effects, and removes the trigger control over the envelope. It also has a built in miniature mixer so you can merge the sound of two additional synths or drum machines (MC_202/TR-606?) with the output of the CMU. It sports sliders from the era of the Jupiter-8 indicating that it probably predated the MC-202 and SH-101 by at least a year or so. One European reviewer on SonicState wrote, "They say it is like the 101/202 but I have not heard any of them (101/202) as aggressive as my new baby (cmu). Very clear, very warm, loads of rumbling and as stated before it can be a very aggressive basspump. If you want to get rid of yours give me a shout cause I would not mind linking a few together." I agree 100%. I would buy one over an MC-202 or SH-101 anyday. But the CMU makes a good partner for either of these synths because it takes up such a small footprint and can act as a second voice when hooked up via CV/GATE. You can watch a video of a CMU-810 on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eof7hVqBsw0"



Previous CMU-810 posts

CMU-810 Compu Synth, CMU-800 Compu Music, Roland, C-64

via this auction

"Roland CMU-810 Compu Synth Expander Module with manual for sale. Also, I have a Roland CMU-800 Compu Music with impossible to find software, interface, and Manual for Commodore 64. I don't know much about these but they are tested and working. Everything looks like new. I've had them for about 15 years and only tested them so I really don't need them. For more information about them just google Roland CMU-800 and CMU-810."

via jbrave

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland CMU-810 Compusynth Modded Analog Modular Synth

via this auction

"Up for auction is an extremely rare Roland CMU-810 synth module which has been turned into a modular synth by Dean Batute of Kyron Modular in Toronto, Ontario. I've owned two of these over the years and have A/B'd them with an SH-101 and MC-202 triggered from various sources. The CMU-810 sounds much bigger than either the SH-101 or MC-202. It sounds more like the late 70's era Rolands like the SH-2 or SH-09. Some sites on the Internet indicate that it's basically an MC-202 in a metal box but this is simply not the case. The CMU-810 has a sound all its own, and this one is even more powerful since it's been modularized.

Features:
* CV/GATE input jacks
* Headphone jack
* Built in mixer with Mix output (you can patch a TB-303 or TR-606 through it and listen to them both through headphones)
* External VCF input
* CV input to control VCA
* Envelope output
* VCF CV input
* Noise output
* LFO Outputs (square/triangle/sine(delay))
* VCO Output (sub/triangle/pulse/saw)
* Pulse Width Modulation input
* Sync input
* Linear FM input"
Sold For: 0 bids

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland Museum Germany Massive Synthesizer Selloff - Most Gear for Sale in a Single Auction

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

This one in via Marko of Retrosound.de.

26.000,00 Euro gets it all.

via this auction

Someone needs to contact the Guiness Book of World Records. Longest list of gear for sale ever:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Drum Machine Videos by Caknobs

YouTube via Caknobs

Playlist:
[caknobs] Keio-Giken(KORG) MiniPops-7 YAMAHA ED-10 setting explain セッティング説明
[caknobs] AceTone RhythmFever
[caknobs] Boss DB-33
[caknobs] Roland TR-707 TR-606 CMU-810 FUTURERETRO REVOLUTION's session
[caknobs] Boss DR-220E (chop up Pioneer EFX-500 ver)
[caknobs] SONY CFS-C7 dubwise (Electrix WarpFactory , KORG mini-KP jam)
[caknobs] Casio MT-68 dubwise "68dub ロクハチダブ"
[caknobs] Roland TR-606 setting explain セッティング説明
[caknobs] TR-606 SH-101 dubmix (Everybody needs a 606set)
[caknobs] Everybody needs 606set. " 2vco Acid " (SH-101 & CMU-810 's osc.)
[caknobs] SCI drumtraks,Roland TR-727 SH-101 CMU-810(+cyclodon)and Futureretro REVOLUTION 's jam
[caknobs] SCI drumtraks,Boss RSD-10,Roland TR-727 TR-606 SH-101 CMU-810 and REVOLUTION 's jam
[caknobs] Keio-Giken(KORG) MiniPops-7 YAMAHA ED-10 ,10min DUBWISE
[caknobs] Drum Machine Fantasy (Roland KORG SCI Boss AceTone CASIO etc)

Roland DG CMU-810 CompuSynth SN 411034

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Up for sale is extremely rare Roland CMU-810 CompuSynth, one of Roland's first Expander type modules made under the name of Roland DG Corporation (previously called Amdek).

CMU-810 has same kind of sounds and layouts as SH-101 and MS-202, but some people regard this has fatter and more aggressive sounds than those.

The unit appears to be fully functional, all the sliders and switches worked as I tested with CV/GATE connection. No noticeable noise on the sliders and switches."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland DG CMU-810 CompuSynth Vintage Analog Synthesizer SN 410989

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Up for sale is extremely rare Roland CMU-810 CompuSynth, one of Roland's first Expander type modules made under the name of Roland DG Corporation (previously called Amdek).

CMU-810 has same kind of sounds and layouts as SH-101 and MS-202, but some people regard this has fatter and more aggressive sounds than those.

The unit appears to be fully functional, all the sliders and switches worked as I tested with CV/GATE connection. No noticeable noise on the sliders and switches.

Cosmetically, the unit is in beautiful condition as you can see. There may be some very minor wear and marks here and there, but nothing major at all and obviously have been looked after very well. I'm including plenty of pictures so you can see exactly how it looks.

Comes with very rare Original Amdek ACP-100 AC Adapter that works on 100V."

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Roland DG CMU-810

via this auction

"The CMU-810 is a module similar to the SH-101, they share many functions and have a similar character, but the CMU has a bassier oscillator and a slightly sharper envelope, this is my opinion after playing with both units first hand. Both units use the CEM 3340 oscillator and the famous Roland IR309 filter... It's a perfect match to an analogue sequencer or as an expander to a SH-101 or just to use with a MIDI-CV as it's very compact!"

inside a Roland CMU-810

Roland CMU-800R XMas CAROL

YouTube via digitalbeatsyndrome.

via this auction

"I take no credit for any of the work in this film. The DIY retrofit of the CMU-800R was done by RJB who is author of the Japanese DIY synth blog Radiojunkbox."

via this auction
"Roland CMU-800R Analog Synth / Drum machine. Very rare to find one of these in this condition, complete with the Apple IIe software and interface card. It has a Bass Channel (mono), Lead Channel (mono), Chord Channel (4 note poly), and Drum Channel (TR-606 drum sounds). It also has 8 Channels of CV(0 5.25v, 1v/octave) out and 8 channels of Gate out (0-12v), which would compliment the CMU-810 sister synthesizer or other analogs using CV-Gate. This particular unit was found in the basement of a music school with another flawless unit, some confused person had marked on the box sound mixer. I had hopes to MIDI retrofit it but never got around to it. I've listed links so you can listen to how the machine sounds, I do not take credit for any of the music or film in the links. The particular unit for auction is NOT in any of the videos and audio clips, I've listed them for audio demonstration only. For those who are interested in MIDI retrofitting this synth, the video by deftaudio demonstrating this machine in action with the MIDI retrofit installed. He offers the retrofit for sale."

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Checking out Roland's CMU-800 w/ a Alex Ball history lesson

video upload by Stazma

"Here we dive again into Roland's "Compu-Music" serie from the early 80s with it's centerpiece and first release: The CMU-800.

If you havn't seen the video about the CMU-810, featuring the full history thing on the Compu Music serie by Alex Ball, here it is:"

The mighty yet unknown CMU 810 by Roland featuring Alex Ball

Roland DG CMU-810 CompuSynth Vintage Analog Synthesizer SN 380699

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here
tokyowax (RSS)

"Up for sale is super rare Roland CMU-810 CompuSynth, one of Roland's first Expander type modules made under the name of Roland DG Corporation (previously called Amdek).

It is said that this has same kind of sounds and layouts as SH-101 and MS-202, but some people regard this has fatter and more aggressive sounds than those synths.

The unit appears to be working fine, all the sliders and switches worked as I tested with CV/GATE connection to my SH-101..."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland DG CMU-810 vintage synthesizer

via this auction
"rare Roland DG CMU-810 analog monosynth module. The CMU-810 is a module similar to the SH-101, they share many functions and have a similar character, but the CMU has a bassier oscillator and a slightly sharper envelope, this is my opinion after playing with both units first hand. These units are extremely rare, I had two and sold my previous one on eBay late last year, there's hasn't been another on eBay since. It's a perfect match to an analogue sequencer or as an expander to a SH-101 or just to use with a MIDI-CV as it's very compact!"

Roland CMU 810 SYNTHESIZER & CMU 800R DRUM MACHINE

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"There is a reason you never see the CMU-810 for sale. It might look basic but it really is a tone monster. It sounds huge and greasy! Many people consider it the best Roland mono. These can be played by themselves and can also be integrated with your vintage Macintosh or PC computers."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland DG CMU-810 vintage synthesizer

via this auction
"rare vintage Roland CMU-810... This is a predecessor to the popular SH-101 and MC-202. There are small differences between these models, the CMU has VCA cv input which the two others lack. It also has LFO delay, a feature found on the MC-202 but lacking on the SH-101. It also has a unique feature in the internal mixer which lets you mix two external sources with the synth engine. The feature that sets it apart the most from the other two is the quality of construction! This is no cheap plastic box, but a nice metal box with Jupiter-8 style quality faders! Its sound is apparently close to the SH-101 with slightly more low-end, I can't confirm this but can attest that this unit sounds awesome"

Roland CMU-800R Analog Synth/Drum Machine

via this auction
"Roland CMU-800R Analog Synth / Drum machine. Very rare to find one of these in this condition, complete with the Apple IIe software and interface card. It has a Bass Channel (mono), Lead Channel (mono), Chord Channel (4 note poly), and Drum Channel (TR-606 drum sounds). It also has 8 Channels of CV(0 5.25v, 1v/octave) out and 8 channels of Gate out (0-12v), which would compliment the CMU-810 sister synthesizer or other analogs using CV-Gate. This particular unit was found in the basement of a music school with another flawless unit, some confused person had marked on the box sound mixer."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland CMU 810 Videos

YouTube via fmass. Title link takes you to more including a Roland CMU 800R.

[caknobs] Assemble a acrobatics EMT-1 MiniPops7 & Much More

(EMT-1 MiniPops7 MS-2000R TR-626,727 EF-303 CMU-810 Drumtraks ED-10)

YouTube via Caknobs | January 28, 2011 |

"今回のトラックはいつものような１発録りではありません。個々の機材で作ったパターン­をwavで取り込んでACID Music Studioで組み立てています。ジャンルはdubstepでしょうかね？
This clip was made with a ACID Music Studio. However, the sequencer of software is not used.

【使用機材 machines】
Roland TR-626
Roland TR-727
Roland EF-303
RolandDG CMU-810
KORG MS-2000R
KEIO GIKEN MiniPops-7
YAMAHA EMT-1
YAMAHA ED-10
SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS Drumtraks
Futureretro REVOLUTION
NOVATION BassStation
and Talking calculator

セッティングや機材の詳細についてはcaknobsのブログにて。
Please confirm details of this setting by my blog.
http://caknobs.cocolog-nifty.com/blog..."

Roland CMU-810

Nice shot of the CMU-810 pulled from this auction. Click image for a bigger shot. This one sent my way via Brandon Daniel. Thanks Brandon.

Roland CMU-800 Revived

So when is the last time you heard a @roland_us #cmu800 #analogdrums and #analogsynth parts thru a #multivox #multivoxmx201 #tapeecho #multiecho #spaceecho huh? 🤖🎛🔊💥❤️ all sequenced by the #frankensix #tr626 for a quick check. Drums dry with low EQ cranked up, then spring reverb, then tape delay, then some A&H EQ sweep, oh yeahhhhhh

A post shared by RhythmDial - Owen D (@rhythmdialtechno) on May 16, 2017 at 10:22pm PDT

via @RythmDial

You don't see these often. The CMU-800 normally required software running on an Apple II via an interface card. You can now use it with a MIDI interface card from beatnic.jp. Click here for some previous posts featuring the CMU-800. There was also a CMU-810 expander.